Israeli envoy hopes Trump waiver is last one for Jerusalem

Israel’s ambassador to the United States says he hopes President Trump has for the last time renewed a waiver to keep the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv instead of Jerusalem.

Trump’s decision to renew the waiver on the June 1 deadline broke a campaign promise that he would move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, which the Israeli government has declared its capital.

“I hope that the decision last week to issue this waiver, that that will be the last waiver,” Ron Dermer said Friday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority conference.

{mosads}“And that the next time it comes around, this president will, I think, enter into history.”

Asked if he was disappointed in the administration’s decision, Dermer complimented Trump and encouraged all countries to consider moving their embassies to Jerusalem.

“We hope that every country around the world moves its embassy to Jerusalem. I think you get better real estate prices if you get in early,” Dermer said to laughter from the audience.

The Palestinians also have a claim on Jerusalem, and presidents in both parties for years have used the waiver to prevent moving the U.S. Embassy to that city for fear of triggering a new conflict. 

Dermer sounded an optimistic note on relations between his government and the Trump administration, which has a friendlier relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than the Obama administration enjoyed.

“The relations are very strong and they’re getting stronger,” Dermer said. “I think that President Trump is a true friend. There’s no question about that.”